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Vince Ellis and Kirkland Crawford Detroit Free Press Published 12:34 p.m. UTC Jun 21, 2018 It appears the Detroit Pistons are closer to their first front office hire since Ed Stefanski assumed a senior adviser role with the franchise last month. Citing unnamed sources, Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday the Pistons have offered a front office role to Atlanta Hawks executive Malik Rose. Multiple sources told the Free Press that there is not an agreement, but confirmed the two sides are discussing a position within the front office. The Free Press previously reported that Rose, along with NBA TV analyst Brent Barry, were strong candidates for front office roles. The Free Press has also reported the Pistons are seeking young, rising executives to grow in a revamped front office in the wake of the firing of Stan Van Gundy as team president. As of now, the Pistons are looking to hire three assistant general managers: one in charge of player development, one in charge of … [Read more...] about Detroit Pistons seeking young, rising execs: Malik Rose fits the bill

George Stoia Detroit Free Press Published 9:27 p.m. UTC Jun 20, 2018 The Pistons made it official on Wednesday. Dwane Casey was formally introduced as the Detroit Pistons' 36th head coach at Little Caesars Arena. Casey is replacing Stan Van Gundy who went 152-176 with one playoff appearance in four seasons. Despite the franchise's recent lack of success, Casey spoke confidently and optimistically about his new team's future. "The most important thing is the three guys, Blake (Griffin), Andre (Drummond) and Reggie (Jackson) are very talented," Casey said. "The talent level on the roster is there... The No. 1 nemesis is health. We have to make sure we stay healthy. "Our time is now... I'm telling the guys now, we aren't developing, we are ready to win now." Casey, who was named Coach of the Year by his fellow NBA coaches and is a finalist for the NBA's award of the same name, turned the Raptors into a contender during his 7-year stint in Toronto. He's posted a … [Read more...] about Dwane Casey introduced as Detroit Pistons’ new head coach

Vince Ellis Detroit Free Press Published 4:22 p.m. UTC Jun 17, 2018 FRANKLIN, Ohio — NBA commissioner Adam Silver strolled to the podium. The Detroit Pistons were on the clock with the 12th pick in the 2017 NBA draft. The franchise didn’t need its allotted five minutes for the pick — and social media users already knew the Pistons were going to select shooting guard Luke Kennard. But it didn’t stop the heartfelt celebration from the Franklin, Ohio, contingent seated at the Barclays Center on June 21 in Brooklyn, N.Y., as Silver said: “With the 12th pick in the 2017 NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons select Luke Kennard from Duke University.” Kennard rose while wearing a dapper gray suit. He was beaming from ear to ear. The first hug was for Jennifer, his mother who rolled her eyes more than a few times at her husband’s training methods while Luke was growing up. Feature: Pistons coach Dwane Casey: 'Time is now' for team to contend … [Read more...] about Detroit Pistons’ Luke Kennard was groomed to be NBA player — by his dad

Vince Ellis Detroit Free Press Published 4:17 p.m. UTC Jun 17, 2018 BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Seated in the courtyard of the Montage Beverly Hills, excitement and energy exudes from every pore of Dwane Casey’s body. The Detroit Pistons’ new coach is dressed neatly for the warm Southern California day, wearing shorts and a short-sleeved dress shirt. The proper attire for a day of people-watching in tony Beverly Hills. But you can tell he can’t wait to don gym attire and start attacking the work of getting his new team better. In a 30-minute introductory meeting with the Detroit Free Press on Thursday, Casey wants to make several things clear. Any ill will toward the Toronto Raptors, who fired Casey last month, evaporated within days. His thought process in contemplating the Pistons job offer had nothing to do with the Raptors still owing him $6.5 million for one more year. He has quickly formed a bond with Pistons owner Tom Gores. He has no issue with the … [Read more...] about Detroit Pistons coach Dwane Casey: ‘Time is now’ for team to contend

Vince Ellis Detroit Free Press Published 4:00 p.m. UTC Jun 13, 2018 It took five seasons for Dwane Casey’s reputation as a defensive mastermind to take hold in Toronto. The Raptors managed only one top-10 defensive rating during the first part of Casey’s tenure as head coach, then they posted consecutive top-five defensive ratings the past two seasons. The better defense played a role in Toronto's franchise-record 59 wins this past season. And though Casey never made it past the Eastern Conference finals during his tenure because of the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James — who ended the Raptors’ postseason run the past three seasons and prompted Casey's firing last month — Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and the ownership group feel fortunate that a coach of Casey’s caliber was available. They turned that good fortune into action when the Pistons hired Casey on Monday to replace Van Gundy, who was fired a few … [Read more...] about Detroit Pistons hope Dwane Casey’s defensive plans travel from Toronto